Pakistan’s repeated attacks on Indian soldiers may prompt the government to rethink its confidence-building measures with Pakistan. There is a growing view in the security establishment to “link” CBMs directly with “peace and tranquillity” on the border. The rethink comes at a time when intelligence reports have exposed the gameplan of the Pakistan Army and its Inter-Services Intelligence — to force the Nawaz Sharif government to keep the focus on Kashmir. Intelligence reports given to the Union home ministry warn that ISI officials, who keep a hawk’s eye on Kashmir, have got active in putting pressure on the new government in Islamabad.
“For how long can we continue CBMs with Pakistan when our soldiers are being beheaded and killed on the border? Pakistan’s doublespeak has been exposed,” said a top internal security official.
The biggest worry is the new tactics by used Pakistan and the terror groups it sponsors to target the Indian Army, security forces and defence establishments. “Rather than terrorist attacks, there is (now) a direct assault on defence forces,” an official noted.